An assembly includes a seat. The assembly includes a buckle supported by the seat. The assembly includes a buckle mechanism pivotable relative to the seat between a stowed position and a latching position, and having a carrier movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The assembly includes a latch plate supported by the carrier and engaged with the buckle when the buckle mechanism is in the latching position and the carrier is in the extended position.
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1. An assembly comprising:
a seat;
a buckle supported by the seat;
a buckle mechanism pivotable relative to the seat between a stowed position and a latching position, and having a carrier movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and
a latch plate supported within the carrier and engaged with the buckle when the buckle mechanism is in the latching position and the carrier is in the extended position.
10. An assembly comprising:
a seat;
a buckle supported by the seat;
a buckle mechanism pivotable relative to the seat between a stowed position and a latching position, and having a carrier movable between a retracted position and an extended position;
a latch plate supported by the carrier and engaged with the buckle when the buckle mechanism is in the latching position and the carrier is in the extended position; and
a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate the buckle mechanism to pivot from the stowed position to the latching position, and then to actuate the carrier from the retracted position to the extended position.
19. An assembly comprising:
a seat;
a buckle supported by the seat;
a buckle mechanism pivotable relative to the seat between a stowed position and a latching position, and having a carrier including a rack and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the buckle mechanism including a cover, the carrier slidable within the cover to move between the retracted position and the extended position;
a latch plate supported by the carrier and engaged with the buckle when the buckle mechanism is in the latching position and the carrier is in the extended position; and
a motor supported by the cover and having a pinion engaged with the rack of the carrier.
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A vehicle restraint system may include a seatbelt assembly that secures the occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result from a vehicle collision. The seatbelt assembly functions to reduce the likelihood of injury by reducing the force of occupant impacts with vehicle interior structures. In this role, the seatbelt assembly applies loads across the chest or lap of the occupant.
An assembly includes a seat. The assembly includes a buckle supported by the seat. The assembly includes a buckle mechanism pivotable relative to the seat between a stowed position and a latching position, and having a carrier movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The assembly includes a latch plate supported by the carrier and engaged with the buckle when the buckle mechanism is in the latching position and the carrier is in the extended position.
The seat can include a seat bottom having a first side and a second side spaced from the first side in a cross-seat direction, the buckle mechanism pivotally supported at the first side and the second side.
The buckle mechanism can include a cover, the carrier slidable within the cover to move between the retracted position and the extended position.
The assembly can include a motor supported by the cover and having a pinion, the carrier including a rack engaged with the pinion.
The assembly can include a webbing, the webbing disposed within the carrier.
The buckle mechanism can include a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the latch plate supported at the first end and the buckle fixed to the second end.
The buckle mechanism can be arcuate.
The buckle mechanism can be under the seat.
The buckle mechanism can include an end, the latch plate supported at the end, and the end in the latching position can be above the end in the stowed position relative to the seat.
The buckle mechanism can include an end, the latch plate supported at the end, and the end in the latching position can be forward of the end in the stowed position relative to the seat.
The assembly can include a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate the buckle mechanism to pivot from the stowed position to the latching position, and then to actuate the carrier from the retracted position to the extended position.
The memory can store instructions executable by the processor to actuate the buckle mechanism in response to detecting an occupant in the seat.
The memory can store instructions executable by the processor to actuate the carrier from the extended position to the retracted position, and then to actuate the buckle mechanism to pivot from the latching position to the stowed position.
The memory can store instructions executable by the processor to actuate the buckle mechanism in response to detecting the latch plate being engaged with the buckle.
The seat can include a seat bottom, the buckle mechanism pivotally supported by the seat bottom.
The carrier in the extended position can be above the seat.
The buckle mechanism can be circular when the carrier is in the extended position.
The assembly can include a retractor supported by the buckle mechanism.
The assembly can include a servo designed to move the buckle mechanism between the stowed position and the latching position.
The assembly can include a floor having a recess, the seat supported by the floor and the buckle mechanism disposed within the recess when the buckle mechanism is the latching position.
With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a seatbelt assembly 20 for a vehicle 22 includes a seat 24. The seatbelt assembly 20 includes a buckle 26 supported by the seat 24. The seatbelt assembly 20 includes a buckle mechanism 28 pivotable relative to the seat 24 between a stowed position and a latching position, and having a carrier 30 movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The seatbelt assembly 20 includes a latch plate 32 supported by the carrier 30 and engaged with the buckle 26 when the buckle mechanism 28 is in the latching position and the carrier 30 is in the extended position.
The seatbelt assembly 20 operates to restrain an occupant 34 relative to the seat 24, e.g., by pivoting the buckle mechanism 28 to the latching position and moving the carrier 30 to the extended position, without requiring input from the occupant 34, e.g., without the occupant 34 having to buckle themselves into the seat 24.
The vehicle 22, shown in
The floor 36, shown in
The seat 24, shown in
The seat 24 may include a seat back 42, a seat bottom 44, and a head restraint. The head restraint may be supported by the seat back 42 and may be stationary or movable relative to the seat back 42. The seat back 42 may be supported by the seat bottom 44 and may be stationary or movable relative to the seat bottom 44. The seat back 42, the seat bottom 44, and/or the head restraint may be adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. Specifically, the seat back 42, the seat bottom 44, and/or the head restraint may themselves be adjustable, in other words, adjustable components within the seat back 42, the seat bottom 44, and/or the head restraint, and/or may be adjustable relative to each other.
The seat bottom 44 have a first side 46 and a second side 48 spaced from the first side 46 in a cross-seat direction CD, shown in
The seat bottom 44 and/or the seat back 42 may include a frame 50, shown in
The covering may include upholstery and padding. The upholstery may be formed of cloth, leather, faux leather, or any other suitable material. The upholstery may be stitched in panels around the frame 50. The padding may be between the covering and the frame 50, and may be foam or any other suitable material.
The buckle mechanism 28, shown in
The buckle mechanism 28 may be urged from the stowed position to the latching position, and vice versa. For example, the seatbelt assembly 20 may include one or more servos 52, shown in
The buckle mechanism 28 can be arcuate. For example, the buckle mechanism 28 can be semicircular when the carrier 30 is in the retracted position, as shown in
The buckle mechanism 28 can be under the seat 24, e.g., relative to the occupant 34 seated in the seat 24. For example, the buckle mechanism 28 can be disposed within the recess 38 when the buckle mechanism 28 is the latching position.
The buckle mechanism 28 can include a first end 56 and a second end 58 opposite the second end 58. The first end 56 can be spaced from the second end 58. For example, the first end 56 and the second end 58 may be opposite each other with the semicircular shape of the buckle mechanism 28 therebetween. As another example, the seat bottom 44 can be between the first end 56 and the second end 58.
The first end 56 and/or the second end 58 when the buckle mechanism 28 in the latching position can be above the first end 56 and/or the second end 58 when the buckle mechanism 28 in the stowed position, i.e., relative to the seat 24, e.g., relative to the occupant 34 seated in the seat 24. To put it another way, the first end 56 and/or the second end 58 of the buckle mechanism 28 in the latching position can be farther from the floor 36 than the first end 56 and/or the second end 58 of the buckle mechanism 28 in the stowed position.
The first end 56 and/or the second end 58 can be farther forward when the buckle mechanism 28 in the latching position as compared to the first end 56 and/or the second end 58 when the buckle mechanism 28 in the stowed position, i.e., relative to the seat 24, e.g., relative to the occupant 34 seated in the seat 24. To put it another way, the first end 56 and/or the second end 58 of the buckle mechanism 28 in the latching position can be farther from the seat back 42 than the first end 56 and/or the second end 58 of the buckle mechanism 28 in the stowed position.
The buckle mechanism 28 can include a cover 60, shown in
The cover 60 can define a pocket 62, shown in
The carrier 30, shown in
The carrier 30 in the retracted position can be below the seat 24, e.g., relative to the occupant 34 seated in the seat 24. The carrier 30 in the extended position can be above the seat 24, e.g., relative to the occupant 34 seated in the seat 24.
The carrier 30 can be plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. The carrier 30 can include a rack 64, shown in
The seatbelt assembly 20 can include a motor 66, shown in
The seatbelt assembly 20 may include a retractor 70, shown in
The webbing 72 may be formed of fabric in the shape of a strap. The webbing 72 may be attached to the spool, with the webbing 72 wound around the spool. The webbing 72 may be payable from the retractor 70, e.g., when the spool is not prevented from rotating by the locking mechanism. The webbing 72 may be disposed within the slot of the webbing 72 guide.
The webbing 72 can be disposed within the carrier 30, as shown in
The buckle 26, shown in
The buckle 26 may include a latch, or any other suitable structure, to engage the latch plate 32. The buckle 26 may include a button, actuator, etc., to disengage the latch plate 32 from the buckle 26, e.g., in response to input from the occupant 34, an instruction from the computer 54, etc. The buckle 26 is supported by the seat 24. For example, the buckle 26 can be fixed to the second end 58 of the buckle mechanism 28, e.g., to the cover 60 and with fasteners, clips, etc.
The latch plate 32 can be rectangular or any other suitable shape. The latch plate 32 can include a hole, a notch, etc., to receive the latch of the buckle 26. The latch plate 32 is supported by the carrier 30. The latch plate 32 can be supported at the first end 56. For example, the latch plate 32 can be in the pocket 62, as shown in
The seatbelt assembly 20 and/or vehicle 22 may include one or more sensors 74, shown in
The seatbelt assembly 20 and/or vehicle 22 may include an occupancy sensor 76, shown in
The seatbelt assembly 20 and/or vehicle 22 may include a communication network 78, shown in
The computer 54, shown in
The computer 54 may be programmed to actuate the buckle mechanism 28 to pivot from the stowed position to the latching position, and then to actuate the carrier 30 from the retracted position to the extended position. For example, the computer 54 may transmit an instruction to the servo(s) 52 via the communication network 78 instructing the servo(s) 52 to actuate to pivot the cover 60 to place the buckle mechanism 28 in the latching position. Next, the computer 54 may transmit an instruction to the motor 66 via the communication network 78 instructing the motor 66 to actuate to move the carrier 30 relative to the cover 60 and to the extended position. Alternately or additionally, the computer 54 may instruct such actuation in response to receiving input from the occupant 34, e.g., via a user interface, such as a button or touch screen, of the seat 24 assembly and/or vehicle 22 in communication with the computer 54 via the communication network 78.
The computer 54 may be programmed to actuate the buckle mechanism 28 in response to detecting an occupant 34 in the seat 24. For example, the computer 54 may receive data from the occupancy sensor 76 via the communication network 78 indicating the seat 24 is occupied. In response to receiving such data, the computer 54 may actuate the buckle mechanism 28, e.g., to pivot the cover 60 to place the buckle mechanism 28 in the latching position and to move the carrier 30 to the extended position, e.g., as described herein.
The computer 54 may be programmed to actuate the carrier 30 from the extended position to the retracted position, and then to actuate the buckle mechanism 28 to pivot from the latching position to the stowed position. For example, the computer 54 may transmit an instruction to the motor 66 via the communication network 78 instructing the motor 66 to actuate to move the carrier 30 relative to the cover 60 and to the retracted position. Next, the computer 54 may transmit an instruction to the servo 52 via the communication network 78 instructing the servo 52 to actuate to the pivot the cover 60 to place the buckle mechanism 28 in the stowed position.
The computer 54 may be programmed to actuate the buckle mechanism 28 in response to detecting the latch plate 32 being engaged with the buckle 26. For example, the computer 54 may receive data from the sensors 74 via the communication network 78 indicating the latch plate 32 is engaged with buckle 26. In response to receiving such data, the computer 54 may actuate the buckle mechanism 28, e.g., to move the carrier 30 to the retracted position and to pivot the cover 60 to place the buckle mechanism 28 in the stowed position, e.g., as described herein.
In operation, and prior to the occupant 34 occupying the seat 24, the buckle mechanism 28 can be in the stowed position, the carrier 30 can be in the retracted position, and the latch plate 32 can be in the pocket 62 of the carrier 30. After the occupant 34 occupies the seat 24, the buckle mechanism 28 pivots to the latching position, the carrier 30 extends to the extended position, and the latch plate 32 engages the buckle 26, as shown in
Computing devices, such as the computer 54, generally include computer-executable instructions, where the instructions may be executable by the processor of the computer 54. Computer-executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted from computer programs created using a variety of programming languages and/or technologies, including, without limitation, and either alone or in combination, Java™, C, C++, Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, etc. Some of these applications may be compiled and executed on a virtual machine, such as the Java Virtual Machine, the Dalvik virtual machine, or the like. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from a memory, a computer 54-readable medium, etc., and executes these instructions to perform one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions and other data may be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media.
A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a processor-readable medium) includes any non-transitory (e.g., tangible) medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read by the computer 54 (e.g., by the processor of the computer 54). Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media may include, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes a main memory. Such instructions may be transmitted by one or more transmission media, including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to a processor of a computer. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read.
In some examples, system elements may be implemented as computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more computing devices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.), stored on computer readable media associated therewith (e.g., disks, memories, etc.). A computer program product may comprise such instructions stored on computer readable media for carrying out the functions described herein.
The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Jaradi, Dean M., Farooq, S. M. Iskander, Faruque, Mohammad Omar
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Jan 09 2018 | FARUQUE, MOHAMMAD OMAR | Ford Global Technologies, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 044621 | /0452 | |
Jan 09 2018 | FAROOQ, S M ISKANDER | Ford Global Technologies, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 044621 | /0452 | |
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